IRD Tax Refund Email Scam — New Zealand Warning
You received an email claiming to be from Inland Revenue saying you're entitled to a tax refund. It asks for your bank account details or IRD number. Inland Revenue does not send emails requesting personal or banking information. This is a phishing scam targeting New Zealanders.
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How This Scam Works
Critical Risk — New Zealand Government Impersonation
Inland Revenue (IRD) does not send emails requesting your bank account details or IRD number. Any email claiming to be from IRD about a tax refund with a link is a phishing scam.
You receive an email claiming to be from Inland Revenue (Te Tari Taake) saying you are entitled to a tax refund. It asks you to click a link and enter your IRD number, bank account details, or other personal information to claim the money.
The link leads to a fake website designed to look like the real IRD myIR portal. Once you enter your information, scammers use it for identity theft and financial fraud. Some versions threaten penalties if you don't respond, adding pressure to comply.
IRD communicates through your myIR account (ird.govt.nz), by phone, or by post — never through emailed links requesting sensitive information. CERT NZ, New Zealand's computer emergency response team, regularly warns about tax-themed phishing campaigns targeting New Zealanders, with reports spiking around tax season.
Red Flags
- Claims you are owed a tax refund from IRD
- Asks for your IRD number or bank account details
- Sender address is not from @ird.govt.nz
- Link does not point to ird.govt.nz
- Creates urgency with a deadline to claim your refund
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Do not click any links in the email
- Log in to your myIR account at ird.govt.nz to check for any messages
- Call IRD at 0800 227 774 to verify any communications
- Report the email to IRD through their official scam page at ird.govt.nz
- Delete the email
How to Verify Legitimately
Log in to your myIR account at ird.govt.nz. Any genuine communications from IRD, including tax refund information, will appear in your myIR inbox. You can also call IRD at 0800 227 774 (general enquiries). IRD processes refunds to the bank account you have registered in myIR.